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What is intermittent fasting?

Question: "What is intermittent fasting?"

Christian Agudelo, ACSM - CPT

Intermittent fasting is a term that describes a period of time when an individual goes through a period of fasting and non fasting for a given length of time. It is used when people want to decrease their calorie intake for weight loss.

There are two different types of intermittent fasting. Whole-day fasting and time-restricted fasting. Whole-day fasting is a 24 hr fasting followed by 24 hrs of non fasting. Time-restricted fasting is a time period of around 16 hrs of fasting followed by 8 hrs of non fasting.

Generally during these fasting periods only water is allowed to be consumed. However, some would allow for tea and coffee without milk or sugar. Others would consider a modified fasting that would allow you to consume just a very small amount of calories during the day.

Earvin Bahena, NSCA - CSCS

Intermittent fasting is a term for an eating pattern that rotates between periods of eating and fasting. With the importance being about when you eat and not necessarily what you eat. Intermittent fasting is used as a way to lose weight and simplify your eating habits.

There are two very popular types of Intermittent fasting, 16/8 protocol and 24 hour protocol. The idea of the 16/8 fasting is you fast for 16 hours and then you eat your meals during the next 8 hours. The time of fasting and eating can be worked around your daily schedule. The 24 hour protocol is eating your meals on a normal routine and then going 24 hours without eating. For example, you finish dinner at 8 pm and you do not eat another meal until 8 pm the next day. The time frames for both fasting protocols can be altered depending on the person and whether they can do those certain hours without eating.